Certified Kubernetes Application Developer | CKAD Exam 2025

 

🎯 What is CKAD?

The CKAD is a performance-based, online, proctored certification from CNCF & Linux Foundation. It validates your ability to design, build, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot container-native applications on Kubernetes.

🗓️ Exam Format & Logistics

• Duration: 2 hours

• Format: ~15–20 hands-on tasks in a CLI environment

• Open-book: Only official Kubernetes documentation is accessible

• Kubernetes Version: Typically within 4–8 weeks of the latest minor release; currently v1.32 

• Passing Score: ~66% (~13/20 tasks) 

• Cost: $445 (up from $295 as of Feb 2025) 

• Retake Policy: One free retake included

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🧠 Exam Domains & Weightings

Domain	Weight
Application Design & Build	20%
Application Deployment	20%
Application Observability & Maintenance	15%
Application Environment, Configuration & Security	25%
Services & Networking	20%

High‑value topics across domains now include CRDs, security contexts, init/ephemeral containers, Helm/Kustomize, RBAC basics, and ingress. blog.techiescamp.com+15cncf.io+15oreilly.com+15

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🔧 Key Skills to Master

🏗️ Application Design & Build (20%)

• Use Deployments, CronJobs, sidecar/init Pods

• Define container specs, resource requests, and limits

• Create container images and apply Kubernetes best practices kodekloud.com+8training.linuxfoundation.org+8cncf.io+8

🚀 Application Deployment (20%)

• Deploy with Deployments, DaemonSets, CronJobs

• Use rolling updates, rollbacks, Helm & Kustomize medium.com+4training.linuxfoundation.org+4kodekloud.com+4

📈 Observability & Maintenance (15%)

• Implement probes (liveness, readiness)

• Fetch logs, monitor with kubectl, debug using ephemeral containers and kubectl debug reddit.com+8medium.com+8training.linuxfoundation.org+8

🔐 Env Configuration & Security (25%)

• ConfigMaps, Secrets, ServiceAccounts, SecurityContexts

• RBAC for Pods/app Access

• Handle ephemeral containers and init containers

• Work with CRDs and API deprecation awareness training.linuxfoundation.org+1medium.com+1medium.compluralsight.com

🌐 Services & Networking (20%)

• Create ClusterIP, NodePort Services and Ingress rules

• NetworkPolicies for traffic controls pluralsight.com+2training.linuxfoundation.org+2medium.com+2pluralsight.com

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📚 Recommended Preparation

1. The Kubernetes official docs – indispensable for exam-day reference training.linuxfoundation.org+12reddit.com+12oreilly.com+12

2. Linux Foundation’s official CKAD course + THRIVE bundle (includes Killer.sh simulator) reddit.com+15training.linuxfoundation.org+15training.linuxfoundation.org+15

3. Hands-on labs: Killer.sh mocks, Katacoda, KodeKloud reddit.com+4kodekloud.com+4medium.com+4

4. Udemy by Mumshad Mannambeth or Sander van Vugt – popular with candidates reddit.com+3reddit.com+3reddit.com+3

5. Medium articles & community guides: CKAD practice tests, deep-dive tips

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🎯 Real-World Insights (Reddit Feedback)

"Be very familiar with the kubernetes.io documentation. If something is missing from the docs they will add it to the question… The more comfortable you are with the docs, the better you will handle something that is not obvious." reddit.com

"Attempt the 2 free simulator mock exams… It will help you with exam nitty gritty like setting aliases, copy and paste…" reddit.com+1reddit.com+1

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🗂️ Updated Topics You Must Know

• Helm & Kustomize: packaging and deployment tools reddit.com+4reddit.com+4reddit.com+4

• CustomResourceDefinitions (CRDs): creating and using CRs cncf.io+5pluralsight.com+5reddit.com+5

• SecurityContext & Pod RBAC: basic permissions, service accounts reddit.com+2training.linuxfoundation.org+2medium.com+2

• Init & Ephemeral containers: configuration and debugging use-cases medium.com

• kubectl debug: debugging live containers medium.com

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🔑 Exam Day Strategy

• Time: Prioritize quick wins—don’t linger too long on tough tasks

• Use aliases or built-in shortcuts for speed (kubectl create … generators, explain, etc.)

• Two simulator sessions (36hr access): practice multiple times until completing within 2 hours training.linuxfoundation.org+2training.linuxfoundation.org+2medium.com+2

• Learn exam environment quirks: Clipboard, slow browser, single screen constraints reddit.com+10reddit.com+10training.linuxfoundation.org+10

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💵 ROI & Certification Value

• Certified for 3 years after passing cncf.io+1kodekloud.com+1

• Salary boost of 15–25% over non-certified peers medium.com

• Validates Kubernetes app-dev skills—ideal for developers, DevOps, SREs

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✅ Action Plan Summary

1. Enroll & schedule your exam

2. Master exam domains—focus on new high-weight practical skills

3. Practice thoroughly via simulator labs and timed mocks

4. Tune up CLI efficiency (aliases, generators, kubectl explain)

5. Simulate exam environment quirks ahead of time

6. On exam day: move fast, refer to docs, flag hard tasks to return

7. Use free retake if needed

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In short: CKAD 2025 is a practical, CLI-focused challenge emphasizing real‑world app‑dev skills—deployments, security, packaging, and observability. With structured prep, hands‑on labs, and smart exam techniques, you can confidently pass and stand out in Kubernetes roles.